Auburn Men’s Basketball opened their 2018-19’ season at home against the South Alabama Jaguars on a Friday night.
With the action quickly starting by an alley-oop from Jared Harper to Anfernee Mclemore, the Tigers never looked back from that point forward going on an 8-0 scoring run to start the game. South Alabama had to use 2 timeouts in the first minute of the game to try and mitigate Auburns damage from the 3-point line.
Auburn shooting 86% in the first 5 minutes of the game is an understatement of how hot the Tigers were tonight.
Early on, points were dominated by Jared Harper and Bryce Brown knocking down two pair of deep 3’s. Anfernee Mclemore then followed that up with another big dunk putting the Tigers up 23-7 with 12:17 to play in the half.
If the wheels haven’t already fallen off the bus for the Jaguars, que Chuma Okeke who (similar to the Auburn offense) was hot early already tallying 11 point in only 8 min. of playing time.
South Alabama with 8:10 on the clock had to call their 3rd timeout of the half down by 25.
After back to back 3 point baskets from Bryce Brown putting Auburn up 41-14 Herb McGee of South Alabama had a response nailing two of his own 3 point baskets putting the Jaguars over the 20 point mark.
Auburn late in the 1st half went on a tear scoring 11 point in the final 2 minutes and closed out the half leading South Alabama 52-33.
Samir Doughty got the scoring started again for Auburn knocking down 2 free throws to start the second while the Jaguars began their half with a 3 point basket from Trhae Mitchell.
To note, Auburn’s starters: Brown, Harper, Okeke, Doughty, and Mclemore recorded double digit points with 16:43 in the half.
The Tigers from that point went on a 7-0 scoring run with a compilation of dunks and 3’s from Anfernee Mclemore, Bryce Brown, and Jared Harper.
Auburn on track to score 100+ as they hold a 30 point lead against South Alabama who called their 3rd timeout 11:50 left in regulation.
Malik Dunbar was the man of the hour for the Tigers late in the half cleaning up the boards on both ends and scoring 16 points in the 2nd half. The Jaguars did not take on well to this surge of momentum in the Tigers struggling to get over 50 points in the game with under 4 min. to go.
With 2:43 left on the clock, J’Von McCormick knocked down a 3 point basket to put the Tigers in triple digits leading by a score of 101-52.
Coach Bruce Pearl, to the crowds’ delight put his reserves in the finish the job. No points were scored, but the Auburn Tigers went on to win their season opener 101-58 against in state opponent South Alabama.
Friday at 8:30CT the Tigers host Washington in what looks to be a promising start to their 2019 campaign.
